Page 83 of Doctor Daddy

“Well, I could have done without all of this.” Her eyes looked tired as she looked up at me.

I ran a hand over her hair. “They needed to know. I needed to take responsibility.”

She shook her head. She was not happy. I went to take responsibility for my actions, for our results and she was the one under scrutiny, feeling judged.

“Have you been able to rest?”

She shot me a glare.

“I guess that means, no? May I?” I reached down and picked up one of my daughters. She was peacefully sleeping, her mouth making little sucking motions.

“They are beautiful girls,” Karen said quietly.

“Of course, they are. They look like Brooke.” I couldn’t take my eyes off the baby in my arms.

“Look, Peyton,” I started.

“It’s probably best if you don’t talk to me.”

“Shut up Peyton, you are going to listen to him for the sake of your daughter and your grandchildren, and me.”

He shifted his gaze to Karen. After a stare down between the two of them, he finally closed his eyes and nodded.

“You don’t have to answer me. You don’t even have to listen, but I’m going to tell you this anyway. When I went over to your house to give you the news, I did that knowingly that you were probably going to react the way you did. But you need to know I love Brooke.” I smiled at her and she gave me the softest smile in return. My chest flooded with emotion, it was almost painful how I felt looking at her with our daughter, and the other twin in my arms. It was a powerful feeling.

“And if she says yes, I’m going to marry her. Now I would like to do that with your blessing. But we don’t need your blessing.”

Karen gasped and put her hand to her chest. Her dramatics were the perfect contrast to Peyton's sullen glower.

“He gives his blessing,” she said enthusiastically.

“Now, Karen,” Peyton started.

“You’ve been acting like a hurt toddler ever since he came into our house and told you, man to man, face to face, what happened. I was upset too but look at the babies, Peyton. They are so perfect. And she loves him. What more could you want? Brooke has always been our wild child, none of this should have been much of a surprise.”

“Really,” Brooke asked with a groggy voice. “Wild child?”

“You’ve always done things your own way, honey. You know that. I certainly tried to get you to calm down and be more grounded. The more I tried, the more wilful you got. It doesn’t mean we love you any less. It means we have to be more flexible in our expectations. Usually, it's the firstborn who is all serious and responsible. At least that's what people told me for years every time they learned that Rhys was the younger brother.”

Brooke reached out and grabbed a handful of fabric from my shirt. I stepped in closer. I couldn’t hold her hand, my arms were full of baby.

“You and Mark are going to have to work this out for the sake of your friendship, and our family.” She turned her attention to Brooke. “You are going to say yes, right?”

“Yes, to what?”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Mark, give me that baby. Please tell me you didn’t come in here saying these things and are not prepared.”

I handed over the baby. “Have you been talking to my brother?” I chuckled.

I shoved my hand into my pocket and pulled out a rather dull-looking gray band. I lowered onto one knee.

“If you are doing what I think you are. I should tell you I can’t see you over the railing of the hospital bed.” Brooke said in emphasized even words. She sounded like she was trying not to have an emotional reaction. “Just sit on the bed, Mark.”

“Please note, I did get down on one knee.” I sat on the edge of the bed and gently took the hand that wasn’t supporting our daughter. I slid the band over her ring finger. “I know, wrong hand. You can shift it later. It’s one of those silicon bands so you don’t have to worry about swelling.”

Brooke blinked expectantly at me. “Are you Mr. Considerate?”

“That’s Doctor Considerate to you. Not how I expected any of this to happen. But isn’t that how things go? Brooke, marry me. Let’s make our family official.”

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